I was hanging out at a local record shop the other day when I happened to walk by a magazine rack and noticed the latest issue of "Illustration". Upon closer examination, I realized that it was actually the winter issue from last year and made a mental note to get out more. Anyway, what really caught my eye was the cover... not because it had some over-the-top eye catching image, but because it had MULTIPLE over-the-top eye catching IMAGES. And they all appeared to have been made by the same person.
"Oh shit... I've never seen these Bill Sienkiewicz pics before." I thought to myself.
Now, I like to think I'm a fairly knowledgable cat when it comes to illustrators. I've been known to be pretty quick to the draw (no pun intended) when distinguishing an illustration to it's creator, but in this case, I completely fucking failed. The illustrations were done by a gentleman named Bernie Fuchs.
Standing there alone and guilt ridden with shame, I asked myself "Who the hell is Fuchs?". I walked over to store clerk, slapped a ten spot on the counter and took the magazine home. It took me 76 pages to find out who this amazing artist is and exactly that many pages to realize how much I don't know about illustration.
For those that do know who Bernie Fuchs is, it's safe to agree that he is absolutely one of the most influentual illustrators of our time. He is one of those artists whose work everyone has seen, either directly or indirectly. If you know his work, it is unmistakable. And if you don't, you've probably seen it and didn't know it or have seen work from other illustrators directly influenced by him. This was the case for me when I mistakenly assumed it was the craftsmanship of Bill Sienkiewicz.
I sat in my living room reading about Bernie for the remaining part of that afternoon. I was consumed at contemplating the impact and affect that powerful images have on all of us. I kept thinking "What if there wasn't A Bernie Fuchs? Would there be a Bill Sienkiewicz? Maybe there would be... but then what would his work look like? Would his work have influenced Dave McKean in the same way? And if it didn't, would Ashley Wood even be around?"
It really is a mind fuck. Truth be told, there's no point in asking those kind of questions. When it comes to art, we all take a little something from someone, sometimes. And that's ok. All that matters is that there are guys like Bernie Fuchs out there that influence and inspire us in some way shape or form. Their work motivates us to be better... or at least try to be.
Well, that entire magazine was dedicated to Bernie Fuchs and probably one of the finest reads I've had in a long time. I can't remember the last time I was so completely and utterly floored by this caliber of work from an artist, but this is definitely one of those times. If you've ever been crushed or overwhlemed with emotion by simply looking at a beautiful piece of art, then do yourself a favor and check out some of his work. I guarantee you won't regret it. - J
